Does anyone have an original owners manual PDF copy they could post? It would be much appreciated. Also, it's getting close to snowing here and I want to learn how to properly use my transfer case shifter (Dana 300). After I lock in the hubs is there any specific way to do things? I have a 3 speed TF999 Automatic Transmission if that makes any difference.

Collins Brothers, among others, has reprints of the owners manuals for various years.

I have an '83 with auto trans, too. Shifting from 2 to 4 is a little tricky.
The manual says to accelerate to a slow roll, i.e. a couple mph, put the tranny at N and then shift the txfr case while rolling.
Mine is a bit stubborn, and sometimes it wants to grind, so to get from 4H back to 2H I discovered I have to roll in reverse for a short distance, go back to D, roll forward and try it again.
Sometimes it takes a couple of tries; probably just a matter of getting 30-year-old gears to mesh properly.

If you want pdf copies of the factory service and technical manuals, PM me.

"We are all of us in the gutter...
Some of us are looking at the stars."
~ Oscar Wilde via Chrissie Hynde

Does anyone have an original owners manual PDF copy they could post? It would be much appreciated. Also, it's getting close to snowing here and I want to learn how to properly use my transfer case shifter (Dana 300). After I lock in the hubs is there any specific way to do things? I have a 3 speed TF999 Automatic Transmission if that makes any difference.

Southern, I have a thread with my google docs linked to it and I put all the manuals I've compiled for open downloads. I'm uploading the Service manual he gave me earlier so it will be on there soon, here's a link.

Southern, I have a thread with my google docs linked to it and I put all the manuals I've compiled for open downloads. I'm uploading the Service manual he gave me earlier so it will be on there soon, here's a link.

Hubs locked first going in and unlocked last coming out. The reason is so the front tires will backspin the front input shaft to help the engagement.
To go into 4 wheel drive.
With hubs locked and from a stop, engine running and clutch in, transmission in 1st gear......Try to shift. It might go right into the gear. If not, hold pressure on the shifter while you bring the clutch out ONLY to the engagement point. You want to barely move forward....like inches to a foot. It should pop right in. Make sure the 4WD light is on (if it works).
To go back to 2WD
Drive straight for 10 yards or so to relieve any binding between the front and rear axles as there is no diff action between the two. Clutch in and in first, Stop and try to shift. If it doesn't, feather the clutch out again as before and try again. Reverse may be tried and slightly turning the wheel to relieve binding.

Excessive force on the shifter is not needed either way. IF so, try another way.
After I unlock the hubs, I check it by spinning the front driveshaft by hand and checking that all is free.